The Federal Government has pledged support for research and innovation that will develop home grown solutions as Nigeria transitions towards low carbon emission.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal made the pledge in Abuja, at the Stakeholders’ Engagement Workshop on the National Industrial Decarbonization Programme (NIDP).
The workshop was organized by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in collaboration with Oxytane Africa Investment.
Lawal, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mahmud Kambari noted that the industrial sector, which plays a big role in economic development also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, leading to climate change and land degradation.
He disclosed that the government was making inroads in aligning with global commitments such as the Paris Agreement and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
In scaling up its efforts, the minister said the government was also facilitating access to climate finance and green technology as well as partnering with the private sector to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficient solutions.
Chairman of NESREA Governing Council, Hon. Garba Datti Mohammed called for collaboration between the public and private sector to ensure Nigeria not only meet its environmental targets but also capitalise on new economic opportunities through the generation and trading of carbon credits.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Akintude Yunus and the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Honourable Julius Pondi, pledged legislative support for the National Industrial Decarbonization Programme.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor said the NIDP was designed to bring together government, industry, and experts to create a robust regulatory and compliance framework that support Nigeria’s net-zero target by 2060.
Managing Director of Oxytane Africa Investments, Tamarankro Juliano Obriki, the partners for the project, highlighted key aspects of the Programme and the strategies for achieving the desired targets.